More and more men are embracing their roles as cat dads these days. From documentary films spotlighting the special bond between cat and man to Instagram accounts that show all sorts of cat dads clamoring for kitty cuddles, cat dads are a paws-istively precious breed all their own. In fact, we think all cat dads deserve cat dad shirts that reflect their feline love. 

Of course, the cat dad in your life may never love anything more than his cat — or cats — but these unique cat lover gifts are sure to let him know just how much he’s appreciated. Whether you’re looking for something personalized or a touch sarcastic, we’ve found a collection of shirts that will make any cat dad purr…or, at least, smile! 

Our Top Cat Dad Shirt Picks

How We Chose Our Selections

With so many great cat shirts to choose from, we selected the best-of-the-best by looking at the following:

Design. Of course, our number one consideration was the design of each shirt, so we put on our cat dad caps to make sure to select options that any feline father would love.

Fabric/care. We also checked out the fabric of each, noting any special care instructions, but rest assured that since most of the selections on our list are T-shirts, you won’t find anything that requires crazy-complicated cleaning.

Reviews. Especially when you’re shopping online, there’s no better way to determine the quality of a product than by seeing what real customers have to say about it. We did the heavy lifting for you, scouring reviews to get the inside scoop on what other cat parents liked or didn’t.

Price. As always, we kept price in mind while narrowing down our list, providing a range of options to fit a range of budgets.

7 Best Shirts for Your Favorite Cat Dad  

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the Vetstreet editorial team and do not reflect a direct endorsement by the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Here’s our list of a-meow-zing shirts for any cat father in your life. 

Overall Best Cat Dad Shirt

Our pick: Cat Button-Down Shirt

Buy at Etsy

Who said cat shirts can’t be office appropriate? Thanks to the button-down design and fun kitty pattern, this stylish button-down is the epitome of business “cat-sual”! It’s also available in a variety of sizes (and two fits for the larger sizes) and made with stretch-woven fabric for added comfort. So, just like a cat snuggled up in their favorite spot, cat dad will feel completely content in this shirt all day long.

Pros

  • Great for day or night (or even work!)
  • Inclusive sizes from S to 4XL; looser or standard fits available for sizes 2XL-4XL
  • Made with a blend of polyester and spandex
  • Machine washable
  • Great reviews

Cons

  • On the pricier side

Best Cat Dad T-Shirt

Our pick: The Original Cat Dad T-Shirt

Buy at Etsy

You can’t go wrong with the tried-and-true original cat dad tee. The unique design for this popular pick is screenprinted onto responsibly sourced shirts, and the seller is recognized as a Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production member, which means they adhere to sustainable fashion practices and ethical production standards. Bonus: if you’re the lucky cat mom, you can get a matching tee that says so. 

Pros

  • Reviewers say the screenprint tee comes true to size. 
  • Made with a blend of Airlume combed, ring-spun cotton and polyester
  • Available in a few other colors: black and navy
  • Free shipping from Eureka, CA
  • Returns accepted within 14 days of purchase

Cons

  • It’s a popular option, you might run into other cat dads sporting the same feline attire!

Best Custom Cat Dad Shirt

Our pick: Embroidered Custom Cat Sweatshirt

Buy at Etsy

What’s better than a cat dad relaxing with his favorite feline? Relaxing with his favorite feline in a personalized shirt featuring Fluffy’s adorable face, of course! Just send a high-resolution photo featuring his cat’s most lovable expression along with personalization details, like their name, and you’ll receive the cutest custom cat dad shirt in return.

Pros

  • The realistic embroidered pet portrait will look just like a favorite feline friend
  • You’ll have a chance to see and approve the proof before the shop begins embroidering
  • Up to three pet portraits can be embroidered
  • Available as a sweatshirt, T-shirt, or hoodie in sizes S to 5XL
  • Free shipping from Sparta, TN

Cons

  • While this shirt is pricier than our other shirts, seeing your favorite feline father light up when he opens this gift will be priceless
  • Customizable gifts can take longer to create and ship than other options
  • Because it’s personalized, returns and exchanges aren’t accepted

Best Value Cat Dad Shirt

Our pick: Arm the Animals Tell Your Cat 3/4-Sleeve Shirt

Buy at Arm the Animals

Cat dads clearly know how to speak a cat’s language, and this hilarious shirt proves it. Not only is it a cool addition to any cat dad’s wardrobe, the shirt has value beyond the price tag. Arm the Animals is a not-for-profit organization that donates its proceeds to organizations such as The Blind Cat Rescue, House Rabbit Society, and Southern California Bulldog Rescue, among others. 

Pros

  • Sporty baseball-style T-shirt
  • Proceeds from this purchase go to reputable animal organizations 
  • Available in sizes S to XXL and in several color choices 

Cons

  • The shop prints to order, so they say it may take 8 to 10 days for your shirt to ship after ordering
  • No free shipping 

Best Father’s Day Cat Dad Shirt

Our pick: Best Cat Dad Ever Fist Bump T-Shirt

Buy at Tee Public

He’s clearly the world’s best cat dad, so get him a shirt that boldly proclaims his well-deserved title, complete with an image of a fist-bumping cat! But be warned, this shirt may inspire him to teach his own cat to do the same. For step-by-step instructions and all the tools he needs to turn his kitty into a furry fist-bumper, pair this shirt with Cat School’s Cat Clicker Training Toolkit. 

Pros

  • Available in sizes S to 5XL and a wide variety of colors
  • Made of super-soft, pre-shrunk cotton 
  • Free shipping on orders of $80 or more
  • Free returns and exchanges

Cons

  • Some T-shirt colors may not match as well with the design

Funniest Cat Dad Shirt

Our pick: Nathan the CatLady Ew, People T-Shirt

Buy at Nathan The CatLady

The shirt, created and worn by Nathan the CatLady, is sure to crack a smile for the cat dad as aloof as his cat. There are a bunch of colors to choose from, and the combed, ring-spun cotton comes pre-shrunk, so you can shop true-to-size. Want an extra laugh? Say this gift is from the cat!

Pros

  • Available in sizes XS to 4XL and many different colors
  • Made of super-soft, pre-shrunk cotton or cotton-blend fabrics (depending on the color)
  • Other shirts with the same design available
  • Free 3-day return policy 

Cons

  • No free shipping

Best Shirt for New Cat Dad

Our pick: Cat Daddy Snuggle Buddies T-Shirt

Buy at Etsy
Buy at Cat Dad Store

If there’s a new cat dad in your life, chances are he can hardly pull himself away from his sweet snuggle buddy. So, why not get him a tee shirt that perfectly captures his new favorite activity? This pre-shrunk cotton and polyester-blend shirt is made by a cat father, who values the fight against gender roles and celebrates the special connection between man and cat. Plus, it’s semi-customizable, from fur color and pattern to the human’s skin tone. 

Pros

  • Available in sizes XS to 3XL, plus kids’ sizes
  • Choose from a variety of color options 
  • Semi-customizable

Cons

  • No free shipping
  • Since the shirt is made to order and semi-customizable, returns and exchanges are not accepted. 

Cat Dad Shirt Buying Guide

Giving a gift to a cat father doesn’t need to be complicated, but it might take a little extra thought. Simply put, a gift like this should celebrate the best parts of being a cat dad, as well as hit all the go-to features we love about a good shirt.  Before clicking “add to cart,” take these shopping tips into account.

Don’t forget essential features

The perfect shirt has a flattering fit, is made from quality fabric, and usually doesn’t require a trip to the dry cleaner. Cotton is a great choice for everyday tees since it’s soft and easy to care for. If a button-up is more his style, consider polyester blends, cotton, or linen. Pro tip: choose a color that best hides his cat’s fur!

Consider customization 

Personalized and customizable gifts, while not necessary, can show a certain thoughtfulness. Some gifts are personalized using a photo of your actual pet, while others are customized with a cat of a general breed or color. If you’re hoping for a replica of cat dad’s favorite floof, a fully customizable shirt might be your best option.

Question quality 

As the trend of personalized gifts continues to grow, so do opportunities for less-than-quality sellers and brands. While there are many quality brands, like the ones we’ve highlighted above, reading reviews and asking the seller questions can help weed out products not worth the spend.

Look at personal style and lifestyle

Is cat dad practical, sarcastic, or sensitive? Does he prefer bold colors, or is his closet full of neutrals? Does he typically wear button-down shirts, or are casual tees more his vibe? Be sure to think about things like this as you’re shopping.